Posted at 22:36 on 18 December, 2012 UTC

Ensuring those families that have been displaced by Cyclone Evan stay healthy, is being seen as crucial over the coming days as Samoa deals with the cyclone’s aftermath.

Read the story on Radio New Zealand Int'l

Two people have been confirmed dead as Cyclone Evan causes widespread destruction around the Samoan capital of Apia. It is understood most of the roads out of Apia are now cut off, with all of the rivers flooded in the region the storm made landfall earlier today. The category-two storm is generating winds of more than 110 kilometres per hour at its centre. Storm and flood warnings have been issued, with forecasts that it will cause a sea surge of more than three metres along the Samoan coast.

Food, Water and Livelihoods in Pacific Islands under Increasing Threat from Climate Change

Invasive Species, Waste, and Extreme Weather Events among Key Challenges

Doha (Qatar), 4 December 2012 – Island communities in the Pacific Ocean are facing unprecedented challenges to their economies and environment from the impacts of climate change, according to a new report released at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Doha, Qatar.

Description:

The maps opposite show rainfall patterns for Sep-Oct-Nov (southern hemisphere spring) and for Dec-Jan-Feb (southern hemisphere winter) generated from a merged analysis of precipitation from 1979 to 2003.
The top row shows the average daily rainfall that prevails for the given period and ENSO conditions. Darker colors indicate more rain.

Description:

The maps show historical storm tracks from 1956-2009 for the months of the southern hemisphere cyclone season (Nov-Apr). Storms that formed during El Niño, La Niña and ENSO Neutral conditions are differentiated to reveal patterns which demonstrate how the El Niño / Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and cyclonic activity are linked.

Like so many countries across the region the Samoas are suffering the effects of drought.

This is one of the main stories making news in both Samoa and neighbouring American Samoa.

Also today we'll discuss White Sunday and controversy continues for the Samoa Rugby Union.

Presenter: Geraldine Coutts

Speaker: American Samoan journalist, Monica Miller

Listen: Windows Media